SYNOPSIS

Based on Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac’s bestselling cult novel, scripted by Jose Rivera, this is set in New York, the late 1940’s. After his father’s death, Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), an aspiring 24-year old writer, meets Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), a 20-year old ex-jailbird with flexible morals and a devastating charm. Dean is fascinated by Sal’s obsession with writing; Sal is fascinated by Dean’s unfettered freedom. They spend their intense, alcohol-fueled nights dreaming of another world, forming a friendship that will take them on the road across the USA. After a stay at Bull Lee’s place in Louisiana, Sal, Dean and his beautiful young wife Marylou (Kristen Stewart) form a merry threesome, travelling naked and freely enjoying themselves, a suspended moment in time.

PREVIEW NOTES

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Walter Salles will direct the project which is being produced by American Zoetrope. Screenwriter Jose Rivera is adapting the book and Rebecca Yeldham will produce. Salles' reteams with Focus Features and Pathe International, two companies that worked together on the director's award-winning "Diaries" will jointly control the worldwide distribution rights to the pic. Casting and production is expected to begin in 2006. - 2005-08-05

Production Weekly reports that Garrett Hedlund in talks to play Dean Moriarty in the pic due to film this summer. - 2010-04-17

MK2 announced that they will produce the film in collaboration with Film 4 (UK) and Videofilmes (Brazil). The production budget amounts to 25 million US dollars. Director of photography Eric Gautier, production designer Carlos Conti and composer Gustavo Santaolalla are all on board the project. - 2010-05-06

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Lance Edmands (Bluebird)
“We discussed how much of the look would be inspired by this era, the last time people really had the money to renovate things. The house that the main family lives in was totally empty and falling apart when we picked it.”
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